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Abstract
This thesis analyzes the portrayal of Black placemaking in the television series Abbott Elementary, a mockumentary style comedy about a group of teachers working in a predominantly Black elementary school in Philadelphia. Utilizing the concept of Black placemaking, this paper examines how the show depicts the physical, social, and cultural identities of the characters and how they leverage the complexity of these tenets of identity in their praxis to foster and empower their community, even when disenfranchised. Through a critical analysis of the “Pilot” episode, this thesis explores the ways in which Abbott Elementary challenges stereotypes and dominant narratives about Black people and communities, and how it contributes to the representation of Black stories, essentially making place for Black people in popular culture and as viewers. This work reveals that Abbott Elementary provides a nuanced portrayal of Black educators and students within a public-school setting, while also highlighting the importance of community building. This thesis aims to expand Black placemaking as a framework that can analyze media.